Export post-processed 3D model to CAD software

HHOS · July 28, 2014, 05:17

Hello!

I need to make some measurements in a 3D CFD case that I am post-processing with Ensight. I found in the internet a measurement tool that can be easily installed in the software, but it is very very basic...

My question is if it is possible to export a 3D model with, for example, streamlines and pressure contour plot, into a CAD software, let's say Catia (to make it known to everyone) in order to measure and develop the model further with it.

I am getting crazy to find a way to do that, I hope somebody can help me

Regards.

kevincolburn · July 28, 2014, 09:25

HHOS:

You have several different options in EnSight to export information. (File -- Export --> Geometric Entities ) In the case of trying to import this easily into CAD software, there are a few options which are used quite a bit for this purpose:

a. STL. This will export out the selected part(s) to an STL file. If you are looking to get an isosurface of some variable (pressure), this works really well. So, select the part(s), and File -- > Export -- > Geometric Entities and choose the "STL" option.

b. VRML. This will export the selected information to a VRML file. I've used this a long time ago to export streamlines out of EnSight and into Catia.... from which we would net a surface over the streamline points. Option under the File -- > Export -- > Geometric Entities with the "VRML" option.

c. Another option might be JT. We have a JT export capability that many of the large automotive companies use to insert this information back/with CAD data. This does require a separate JT Export license from CEI though, so it is a cost option.

There are some other export options (FlatFile, Case Gold, etc) which could be used with additional scripts/import routines should you want to have ultimate flexibility and control of information. These are more "plain" export formats, but as such, allow a level of flexibility to then re-format these into the specifics required.

-kevin

HHOS · July 28, 2014, 10:22

Thank you very much for your fast reply!

I managed to export and load the streamlines with the VRML file, but I couldn't get the geometry with the pressure plot on it...

I understood that it is possible with the STL file, right??

kevincolburn · July 28, 2014, 10:46

The STL format only handle triangles... no variables. So if you want "shape", then the STL format should suffice.

I am not sure what CAD package can handle a surface with colors of pressure on it.... they are not really setup for that type of information.

If you are wanting just isobars (contours in EnSight speak), then those are just 2D line segments (which STL can't handle). VRML/JT/FlatFile might be something to try there. Is that what you are trying to get into CAD is just isobars/contours?

-kevin

HHOS · July 30, 2014, 03:59

Thank you very much!

Exporting the geometry as STL and all the lines I need as VRML work perfectly, so, solved!

One thing that I don't really get is: I read the STL file and always find that the geometry is not perfect (I mean as I see it in Ensight), there are always triangles missing and holes here and there... Is there any parameter that I can change so that the export is properly done??

kevincolburn · July 30, 2014, 10:04

We have not seen any issues with exporting STL, where the STL did not match the triangulation in EnSight. So, the first thing to try is to read the STL file into something other than the CAD package. You can read the STL alone back into EnSight, and see if there are holes (that would indicate something amiss in the export). Other programs like Rhino, or Blender could be used to verify the existance of holes.
Curious to find out, as we have not seen this before.

HHOS · August 5, 2014, 05:02

Mmmmmh...

I sadly have to say that I have exported the STL file and loaded again with Ensight, and the holes where present...

Not in the same place, though...

Never mind, I can repair the mesh

Thank you for your help!!

bllbbdg · May 31, 2018, 08:49

Hi,

I use Paraview as a post-processor and want to import the air stream lines into 3D Software such as 3DsMax.

I tried exporting the file as vrml and other formats but I couldn't import any of them to any 3D software.

Can anyone help on the issue?

Regards

July 28, 2014, 05:17	Export post-processed 3D model to CAD software	#1
HHOS Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 13	Hello! I need to make some measurements in a 3D CFD case that I am post-processing with Ensight. I found in the internet a measurement tool that can be easily installed in the software, but it is very very basic... My question is if it is possible to export a 3D model with, for example, streamlines and pressure contour plot, into a CAD software, let's say Catia (to make it known to everyone) in order to measure and develop the model further with it. I am getting crazy to find a way to do that, I hope somebody can help me Regards.

July 28, 2014, 09:25	Export post-processed 3D model to CAD software	#2
kevincolburn Senior Member Kevin Colburn Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 131 Rep Power: 17	HHOS: You have several different options in EnSight to export information. (File -- Export --> Geometric Entities ) In the case of trying to import this easily into CAD software, there are a few options which are used quite a bit for this purpose: a. STL. This will export out the selected part(s) to an STL file. If you are looking to get an isosurface of some variable (pressure), this works really well. So, select the part(s), and File -- > Export -- > Geometric Entities and choose the "STL" option. b. VRML. This will export the selected information to a VRML file. I've used this a long time ago to export streamlines out of EnSight and into Catia.... from which we would net a surface over the streamline points. Option under the File -- > Export -- > Geometric Entities with the "VRML" option. c. Another option might be JT. We have a JT export capability that many of the large automotive companies use to insert this information back/with CAD data. This does require a separate JT Export license from CEI though, so it is a cost option. There are some other export options (FlatFile, Case Gold, etc) which could be used with additional scripts/import routines should you want to have ultimate flexibility and control of information. These are more "plain" export formats, but as such, allow a level of flexibility to then re-format these into the specifics required. -kevin HHOS and ali_b124 like this. __________________ Kevin Colburn Computational Engineering International, Inc. www.ceisoftware.com kevin@ensight.com

July 28, 2014, 10:46		#4
kevincolburn Senior Member Kevin Colburn Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 131 Rep Power: 17	The STL format only handle triangles... no variables. So if you want "shape", then the STL format should suffice. I am not sure what CAD package can handle a surface with colors of pressure on it.... they are not really setup for that type of information. If you are wanting just isobars (contours in EnSight speak), then those are just 2D line segments (which STL can't handle). VRML/JT/FlatFile might be something to try there. Is that what you are trying to get into CAD is just isobars/contours? -kevin __________________ Kevin Colburn Computational Engineering International, Inc. www.ceisoftware.com kevin@ensight.com

July 30, 2014, 10:04		#6
kevincolburn Senior Member Kevin Colburn Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 131 Rep Power: 17	We have not seen any issues with exporting STL, where the STL did not match the triangulation in EnSight. So, the first thing to try is to read the STL file into something other than the CAD package. You can read the STL alone back into EnSight, and see if there are holes (that would indicate something amiss in the export). Other programs like Rhino, or Blender could be used to verify the existance of holes. Curious to find out, as we have not seen this before. __________________ Kevin Colburn Computational Engineering International, Inc. www.ceisoftware.com kevin@ensight.com

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[DesignModeler] CAD model of a dropping/filling process	rob3	ANSYS Meshing & Geometry	0	July 23, 2014 00:52
Variable export from CFX post	Ram	CFX	2	October 20, 2005 07:00
Importing I-DEAS unv file	hbetb	FLUENT	1	August 10, 2001 14:22
Searching a Software which can model moving objects	Hao Yu	Main CFD Forum	1	May 15, 2000 10:42
buying a commercial software to model free surface	Michel Boufadel	Main CFD Forum	6	May 3, 2000 15:16

July 28, 2014, 10:22		#3
HHOS Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 13	Thank you very much for your fast reply! I managed to export and load the streamlines with the VRML file, but I couldn't get the geometry with the pressure plot on it... I understood that it is possible with the STL file, right??

July 30, 2014, 03:59		#5
HHOS Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 13	Thank you very much! Exporting the geometry as STL and all the lines I need as VRML work perfectly, so, solved! One thing that I don't really get is: I read the STL file and always find that the geometry is not perfect (I mean as I see it in Ensight), there are always triangles missing and holes here and there... Is there any parameter that I can change so that the export is properly done??

August 5, 2014, 05:02		#7
HHOS Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 13	Mmmmmh... I sadly have to say that I have exported the STL file and loaded again with Ensight, and the holes where present... Not in the same place, though... Never mind, I can repair the mesh Thank you for your help!!

May 31, 2018, 08:49		#8
bllbbdg New Member Bilal Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 8	Hi, I use Paraview as a post-processor and want to import the air stream lines into 3D Software such as 3DsMax. I tried exporting the file as vrml and other formats but I couldn't import any of them to any 3D software. Can anyone help on the issue? Regards